72-unit Arcadia Meadows housing proposal dies for lack of motion

Omar Sarig and Harrison LaHaie of Woda Cooper presented plans for Arcadia Meadows, a proposed 72-unit multifamily development at 440 Robbins Road, telling the City Council that the project would include 24 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom and 18 three-bedroom units and a detached clubhouse.

The developers said the proposal responds to a 2025 housing study that identified affordability and limited rental availability as barriers in Athens; they told council that local home prices rose roughly 25% year-over-year and that homeowners were spending about 31% of their income on mortgages. They estimated total investment at approximately $20 million and projected annual property tax payments of about $85,000, compared with the current $712 paid on the undeveloped parcels.

Woda Cooper asked the council for a resolution of support and a $250 waiver of the development fee. The presentation included unit rent ranges the developers described as net rents: $395–$880 for one-bedrooms, $470–$1,020 for two-bedrooms and $530–$1,170 for three-bedrooms, with 70% of units expected at the higher end of the ranges.

After a period of questions and answers, Mayor Aaron Smith asked for a motion on the requested resolution; no council member moved to place the resolution on the floor, and the item died for lack of a motion. Because no formal motion was made, there was no roll-call vote and no recorded action approving support or fee relief.

The proposal may return to council only if a future agenda sets the item for consideration; developers and council did not set a next procedural step during the meeting.